SINGAPORE

VIBRANT, ENERGETIC AND SOPHISTICATED

Drop the image of Singapore as a sterile, dull Utopia, break the surface and you’ll find an interesting mix of Indian, Chinese, Western and Malay cultures, a powerful social slush that’s certainly not boring. Known for its food and shopping, Singapore is also a great beginners guide to Asia. Ordered, affluent and clean, here you can skim your fingers into the best of Asian culture with no drawbacks.

This is truly a vibrant, energetic, and sophisticated city, where Asian heritage blends seamlessly with modern skyscrapers, and trendy restaurants and shopping malls coexist with nature and even a tropical rainforest.

Head off to Orchard Road with its array of glittering shopping malls housing every imaginable designer label, or venture to Bugis Junction where there are nearly 200 speciality shops on a street housed under a glass roof. VivoCity is much more than a shopping mall and is complete with restaurants and cafés and even has a water park. At night the bazaars come alive and are well worth a visit.

Food is most definitely a passion so pull up a stool at a hawker centre, grab a drink and dive straight into a bountiful range of Asian delights. Go ahead and be adventurous – try that Fish Head Curry or those Chicken noodles, or even the Chilli Crab, which makes even the most hardcore foodie go all misty-eyed. Off the streets there is an array of quality restaurants and cafés on offer providing every cuisine imaginable. A Singapore Sling at the iconic and famous Raffles Hotel is a must for the visitor and for the night owls then Singapore has an endless selection of bars and nightclubs, including the world’s largest Ministry of Sound. A pilgrimage to Singapore for those who love Asian cuisine is a must.

Of course, it’s not all about eating and shopping and maxing out the cash or plastic. Potter around the mosques and cafés of the Arab quarter, catch a show at the Esplanade, delve into the culture of Chinatown or check out the modern and glamorous arts scene, flourishing under the government’s backing of Singapore as a place of art. For relaxation there some wonderful relaxing beaches, particularly on the island of Sentosa, which is reached in minutes by cable car or rail. Sentosa also has a vibrant waterfront area, lush tropical rainforests, two scenic golf courses, and a chic nightlife scene.

Singapore is one of only two cities in the world (alongside Rio de Janeiro) to have a primary rainforest within its boundaries. Bukit Timah Nature Reserve is 164-hectare reserve that contains more species of trees than the entire North American continent, home to flying lemurs and macaque Monkey’s. Elsewhere there is the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve with freshwater ponds, mangroves, estuaries and swamps. A bit more sedate and manicured are the Botanical Gardens, which has been in existence for nearly 150 years.

Singapore is also alive throughout the year with a number of colourful festivals. Independence Day celebrations see the sky light up with colourful fireworks, or watch the city’s Chinatown really come alive during Chinese New Year as traditions include giving red envelopes with money, bringing prosperity for the year ahead.

Therefore, whether you are just in Singapore for a couple of nights as a stopover or you have a week or two, then it really has got plenty to offer and although it is only small this place packs a punch!

Flight Time: Approx 13 hours

Time Difference: GMT +8 hours

Language: English, Malay, Chinese & Tamil are all official languages

Currency: Singapore Dollar

Area: 275 square miles

Total coastline: Approx. 120 miles

Population: Approx. 5.3 million

Capital: Singapore (Singapore is one of only 3 sovereign city-states in the world)

Singapore has a tropical climate, characterised by a hot and humid climate year round with no distinct seasons. The annual average temperature is approximately 28°C, hitting highs of 35-38°C and a minimum of 20°C, making it warm year round. The humidity is also quite high, and ranges between 70 and 90 percent. However, when planning a trip to Singapore the main consideration is not temperature or humidity, but rainfall. Generally speaking, there is a dry season (June to September), and a rainy season (December to March). Rain can actually fall almost everyday, even outside of the monsoon seasons (December to March and June to September) but they are usually brief showers that are actually quite refreshing, providing respite from the sun and lowering the humidity. April & May are the hottest months, December & January are the coolest months and November to January is the wettest period.

BEST TIME TO TRAVEL
Singapore is effectively a year round destination and enjoys a hot climate throughout the year. It is highly likely you will experience rain no matter when you visit but in our opinion the best time to travel to Singapore is between June and November and it is advisable to avoid December to March.

Health & Vaccinations

No vaccinations are required for Singapore but we do recommend you are up to date with the usual vaccinations – Typhoid, Polio, Hepatitis A & B, Tetanus and Rabies. Please contact your local GP for full advice at least 3-4 weeks before travel.

Passport & Visa

British passport holders must be in possession of a full 10-year passport and must have at least 6 months validity beyond the date of the return journey. British passport holders do not need a visa to enter into Singapore.

WHERE TO STAY

Mandarin Oriental lies in the heart of Marina Bay, this is Singapore’s main are of dining and entertainment. The Mandarin Oriental Hotel is situated perfectly for both business and also leisure.More Info

Shangri La is set amongst 15 acres of greenery; the 5-star luxury hotel provides comfortable rooms, suites and restaurants, and also the excellent amenities.The hotel has 747 elegant guestrooms and suites with a further 127 serviced apartments and 55 luxurious condominium units. More Info

This is a five star luxury hotel, Shangri La Rasa Sentosa offers its guests with comfortable rooms, suites and restaurants. Shangri La Rasa Sentosa is around a 30 minute drive from Changi International Airport, the hotel offers a limousine transfer, and this service does have an additional charge guests will need to pay.More Info

SUGGESTED ITINERARIES

This multi-centre holiday is as dramatic as it is luxurious. Stay 3 nights in the beautiful city of Cape Town, enjoy an awesome 3 night safari experience in the Malaria-Free Welgevonden Game Reserve, 1 night in Johannesburg and then finish with 7 nights on the idyllic island of Mauritius.More Info

This multi-centre holiday is as dramatic as it is luxurious. Stay 3 nights in the beautiful city of Cape Town, enjoy an awesome 3 night safari experience in the Malaria-Free Welgevonden Game Reserve, 1 night in Johannesburg and then finish with 7 nights on the idyllic island of Mauritius.More Info

This multi-centre holiday is as dramatic as it is luxurious. Stay 3 nights in the beautiful city of Cape Town, enjoy an awesome 3 night safari experience in the Malaria-Free Welgevonden Game Reserve, 1 night in Johannesburg and then finish with 7 nights on the idyllic island of Mauritius.More Info

Speak to any of the team at Inspirational Travel to get ideas for your holiday or honeymoon to Singapore. Call us on 01778 382764.

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ATOL PROTECTION

£2.50 per person of the cost of each package holiday is paid to the Civil Aviation Authority to provide ATOL protection for you. This means any money paid for your trip is fully protected. Our ATOL number is 9748.

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Inspirational Travel is a trading name of ER Marketing Ltd. Copyright by Inspirational Travel. All rights reserved. 2018